You’re good with your hands, but are you sharp on your feet?
In the world of massage therapy, everyone who has undergone the necessary training for certification acquires the same basic set of skills and a common bank of knowledge. There can be precious little differentiation. Some massage schools act like a factory that cranks out cookie-cutter therapists — everyone stamped, boxed up and distributed like prepackaged units to needy clinics, spas and fitness centers. Lather, rinse, repeat as kneaded.
Cortiva Institute is not one of those schools. We go above and beyond to teach our eager massage therapist students in various modalities in order to improve their career options upon graduation. We pride ourselves on being the most affordable and accessible educational option when it comes to providing an innovative, holistic curriculum.
So what can forward-thinking massage therapy students do now to distinguish themselves once they’re young professionals in the field? Learning new disciplines is a wonderful place to start. The more you know, the more you — and your future marketability — will grow.
What Is Shiatsu Massage?
There are no fewer than a dozen types of massage, from Swedish and hot stone to aromatherapy and trigger point. The more healing approaches you master as a therapist, the more in-demand your services will be. One of the most distinctive and desired forms of massage is called shiatsu, which means “finger pressure” in Japanese. Shiatsu involves administering rhythmic pressure on specific acupressure points throughout the body. According to its ancient origins, shiatsu can help improve the natural flow of the body’s essential energy (known as “chi” and pronounced as “chee”) by relieving stress blockages and restoring balance.
Patients who are anxious, depressed or stressed out may benefit greatly from shiatsu massage, which makes it a wonderful accessory to your therapeutic tool belt. If you want to provide relaxation and physical relief to your clients, (learning shiatsu) is a solid strategy.
What Happens When You (Study Shiatsu)?
The healing magic of shiatsu comes more from the fingers than the hand. (Shiatsu training) educates massage therapists exactly how to use finger, palm and thumb pressure in a constant rhythmic pattern in order to stimulate blood flow and relieve pain or discomfort.
Sessions usually start with interviewing and observing the patient to determine underlying health conditions, troublesome physical areas and reasons for any mental stress. Once evaluated, patients lay clothed on a flat surface and the massage therapist goes to work, utilizing various techniques learned in (shiatsu training) such as applying pressure, rubbing, squeezing and tapping. No lotions or oils are necessary.
What really sets shiatsu apart from other modalities is its attempt to rebalance the body’s energy appropriately. The theory of there being a collection of energy pathways inside the body (known as meridians) that can get damaged and need alignment or repair is a tenet of traditional Chinese medicine. Who knew a career in massage therapy could be so powerful?
Why (Shiatsu Massage Classes) Make a Serious Difference
Healing others is incredibly rewarding, and now is a great time to pursue your massage therapist dreams. Demand for professional masseuses is expected to grow at a 21% clip until 2029, which is a much faster increase than other occupations. Having experience and expertise in shiatsu would only improve your already high chances of securing a well-paying job once you’ve completed your massage therapy education.
Need more reasons why taking (shiatsu classes) is a brilliant future career move? As you explore (shiatsu massage school near you), here are half a dozen more real-life examples of how (shiatsu courses) can set you up to do a lot of transformative work in the field of massage therapy:
1. Shiatsu can be used when other modalities of massage cannot.
There are instances when forms of physical therapy are not recommended for healing purposes, such as broken bones, varicose veins or other recent scarring. Some techniques are too painful to administer to patients, but the focus on life-force energy makes shiatsu uniquely qualified to target conditions that other methods of massage can’t fix — osteoporosis and chemotherapy patients, for example. In fact, practitioners can perform shiatsu either lightly or even energetically (with the hands placed a few inches above the body) when clients can’t tolerate any physical touch.
2. Shiatsu is great for expectant mothers.
Specific movements are often taught to birth partners and/or practitioners because shiatsu has proven effective at helping kick-start childbirth for difficult pregnancies and alleviate the substantial pain that accompanies childbirth. Tellingly, shiatsu has been used during pregnancy to reduce morning sickness and relieve constipation, as well as to induce labor in midwifery practices. Taking (shiatsu courses) and having the skills to perform the techniques will get you plenty of work in pregnancy circles.
3. Shiatsu leads to better skin.
Health and beauty often go hand in hand, and a beneficial byproduct for shiatsu patients is often glowing skin due to improved blood circulation in treated areas. Performing shiatsu on facial muscles can produce a warm, soft complexion. Shiatsu movements also stimulate sebaceous glands to release a fatty material called sebum, which works to keep skin smooth and waterproof.
4. Shiatsu helps those in fragile health.
Patients in advanced age or declining health also benefit greatly from the transfer of energy that shiatsu provides. Shiatsu doesn’t require any crazy flexibility on the patient’s end, and clothes stay on during the entire process. Aside from better blood circulation and overall balance, these massages alleviate chronic pain, restore flexibility and reduce fatigue.
5. Shiatsu helps those in excellent condition.
You can never be healthy enough, right? Shiatsu is beneficial for nearly all patients. Even younger people without many health maladies will experience great results from shiatsu, from enhanced coordination and improved vitality to lower blood pressure and a stronger immune system. It truly is a revolutionary approach to wellness.
6. Shiatsu can alleviate a wide variety of ailments.
The list of conditions that shiatsu and acupressure can alleviate or flat-out eliminate is incredible: anxiety, depression, digestive tract problems, headaches, insomnia, muscle tension and fatigue, sinus congestion. ... It might be easier to list what shiatsu can’t improve. No matter the massage therapist career path you choose to take, having shiatsu in your arsenal will only make you more attractive to prospective employers and patients.
To learn more about massage therapy school, shiatsu and the other modalities we teach at Cortiva Institute, contact us today.